Page 5 of Finding New Dreams

“You are the one who’s going to land some handsome, rich man who’ll sweep you off your feet. Maybe kidnap you and take you to Tuscany like that romance book you lent me a few weeks ago.”

I sighed dramatically. “Ah, if only. Oh, Francesco. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I safely cut ties with Zane, but I’m not headed home quite yet.”

As my neighbor, Gina always kept a lookout for me when I went on these dates in the city.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“You remember Cal Packman? I’m headed to his new club Laser Therapy. Gonna dance away my troubles for a bit.”

“All right. You be safe, girl. Oh, and don’t forget we promised Chloe we’d be at her house by nine-thirty tomorrow morning to help out with wedding favors.”

“Always, and I’ll be at your door by nine.”

We ended the call just as I arrived at the club. The music pouring from the open doors made my heart do a jig. Laser Therapy indeed. After tucking my ID, money, and phone into the hidden pockets of my leggings, I stowed my jacket and clutch in the coat check.

As soon as I made it onto the paint-dotted dance floor, my cares began to float away.

The music moved me like it’d seeped into my pores and wound its way through my veins, bending me to its seductive will.

And I obeyed. Smiling, laughing, dancing with complete strangers. A completely different world of color and sound.

I loved my everyday world. My amazing friends in my sweet little town. My cozy apartment above my perfect studio. My paintings and portraits displayed proudly under bright lights. My activity tables waiting for eager students.

My swaying hips stilled when I remembered I still hadn’t found a summer intern to help me with the art classes and photo shoots I had booked. And my good friend, Chloe, had asked me to be a bridesmaid in her upcoming wedding. No way was I saying no to that just because I was a little busy.

Okay, a lot busy.

A cold wave of anxiety threatened to douse my sparks of happiness. But I wouldn’t let it.

Instead I lifted my face to the ceiling and laughed when paint fell like rain to my cheeks.

The group of girls I’d been dancing with laughed along with me, their own splattered faces and clothes glowing.

I’d have to tell Cal that I absolutely loved his idea for a paint night. Maybe I should find him.

But when I looked out over the dance floor, I saw him instead.

He stood head and shoulders above most of the swaying bodies. His white t-shirt was a beacon of luminescent color. Lasers flashed over his shadowed face. Not enough to make out much except that his gaze was locked on me as he cut across the dance floor.

My heart tugged on my dry throat, forcing a swallow.

Waves of dark hair fell across his brow and around his angular face. A beautiful face, even if I couldn’t see the details.

My artist’s eyes traced his wide shoulders and lean physique as he came closer. Yes, beautiful. Like one of my paintings or romance novels come to life.

And by the subtle quirk of his full lips, he knew it.

A playboy, then. Dangerous—but fun. Someone who took risks. And only for the here and now.

I could be that person too. For a little while. Like a clubbing Cinderella. Maybe it wouldn’t be the happily-ever-after romance I sought, but it would be fun.

He halted a few feet away. My body had frozen again—the pull of his gaze was more demanding than the beat of the bass. Green and purple laser projections illuminated him like shards of stained glass.

The two girls left dancing between us shot glances at me, their eyebrows lifted as if to ask, “You good?”

I smiled and nodded, and they made way for the devilishly handsome man. His grin flashed in the mercurial light.

Before other dancers could fill the void, I slipped toward him and held out my hand. He immediately gripped it in his large, strong one. A warm, fizzy sensation crackled up my arm.

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